2011 is HERE

HAPPPY NEW YEAR!!!  

The new year has arrived and this week has been non-stop busy preparing for finals and trips.  But let's begin with New Years; I had a fun, relatively laid-back night out on the town.  The night started off with some NewYork-style pizza alongside spicy buffalo wings and calamari with a squeeze of lemon.  Yum!  Who knew that I'd love and cherish pizza so much?!  Afterwards, we headed to the local bar, Black Beans, for a few drinks before getting our boogie on at the ever-popular JD's, home to all the foreign exchange students in Dalian.  We finally dragged our tired selves home right before the sun rose and immediately went to sleep.

HNY!

Hanging out with my British, Chinese, Japanese, and American friends in BB :)

I really like the beginning of the year because it's a fresh start, a time of renewed vigor and enthusiasm, and the appropriate time to make New Year's resolutions.  I'm no perfectionist but I enjoy making myself healthier, happier, and just improving my quality of life overall.  Plus, if things don't go well, I can always restart at Chinese New Year ;).  Marianna and I decided today that we would make half-year goals for ourselves while in Dalian.  We decided to side-step the cliche "quite drinking" and "tame the bulge" goals.  Also we decided it was better to focus on a few goals than drowning ourselves in too many resolutions.

Chinese Resolutions:
1. Be on Time!  Aim for 2 minutes early.  This is always a good (and recurring theme) goal to aim for.  
2.  Do mundane tasks more quickly and get them out of the way.  This includes anything from doing homework, to paying back a friend, to answering emails.  The point is to get it done and out of the way.
3.  Sleep early if I'm already home.  It's so easy to stay up late doing absolutely nothing so why not do something productive and tuck myself in bed.  I'll definitely be thankful in the morning.
4.  Continue to make the most of everyday.  Our impending departure dates are slowly creeping up on us.  I want to know that I lived up my time in China and have no regrets. 

It's important to create achievable goals that aren't easily discarded.  With a little self-discipline, hopefully these will become part of my daily life :).  There's a Chinese idiom that perfectly describes this:习惯成自然。(xi guan cheng zi ran) This can be loosely translated as habit becomes instinct.

This week has gone by in a whirlwind as I prepped and took my finals.  Completed two yesterday and knocked two more out today.  My last final is tomorrow and then my 2-month winter break will begin!!  Tentative plans are to spend a few weeks backpacking in Malaysia/Singapore and then 10 days in China's Yunan province.  As I just booked my plane tickets last night, there is much work and research to be done.  This weekend will be devoted to the noble cause =P.

I'd like to end this post with another insightful text message from Dean:
At the time of next year coming, best wishes to all my western friends.  You have given special meaning to my life, thank you and wish you be smarter with your happy to live 365 days next year.  Yours, Dean
So cute!  Wishing all of you a smart and happy next 365 days too!

Can't wait to finish this last final and start the PLANNING!
Jac